Cuttings-conveying mechanism



Nov. 17, 1942. c, F OSGQQD 'cU'rTINGs CONVEYING MECHANISM 4 Seets-'Sheet l Filed Dec. 30, 1938 I www Aw @www @aff Nov,J 1'7, 1942. Q osGooD 1 2,302,460

CUTTINGS CONVEYING kMECHANISM I Filed Dec. 30, 1.938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y *61 j@ f7 319 6 53H56 @y i@ p Nov. 17, 1942. c, F osGQoD 2,302,460

cu'r'rmes CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed D86.' 30, 1958 4 Sheets-Shet 3 I n 57i/ a j! F l l* v y im Ml y l Ilrfin' UH?) I i Ib* im my* I. ont ||||o f 57 y ,I w AW V Nov. 17, 1942. c, F, OSGOQD 2,302,460

CUTTINGS GONVEYAING MECHANI SM Filed D661 30, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNETED STATES PATENT QFFICE Charles F. Osgood, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Suliivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 30, 1938, Serial No. 248,475

Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to an improved cuttings conveying mechanism adapted to use with a coal cutting machine of the endless cutter chain type, whereby the cuttings are effectually removed from the path of the cutter chain during the cutting operation. l

In the cutting of coal by the use of a coal cutting machine of the endless cutter chain type, the relative fine cuttings created by the cutter chain during the kerf cutting operation are piled up around the machine at the rear end of the cutter bar and a large amount of the cuttings are conveyed back into the kerf by the return run of the cutter chain. Heretofore it has been almost universal practice to shovel manually the piled up cuttings away from the machine, a very arduous tasli with many attendant dangers from falls oi roof and sides, and even then a large amount of the cuttings are conveyed back into the keri. It has been found that the cuttings ll the kerf to a substantial extent, thereby not only decreasing the eiectiveness of a given size kerf during blasting and increasing the blasting cest, but also, due to the continual churning of the cuttings b-y the rapidly circulating cutter chain, considerably increasing the power consumed in the cutting operation. Also, the piled up cuttings at the rear end of the machine hinder the proper setting of roof props and the cuttings must be labo-riously shoveled away by hand from the trailing end of the machine before the roof props 'can be set close to the coal face. Further, the constant churning of the cuttings by the cutter chain appreciably increases the wear of the cutter bits and the parts which compose the cutter chain and cutter bar, resulting in a substantial increase in maintenance cost of the various cutting members and the time occupied in the changing of cutter bits, and the cost ci bit sharp# ening or replacement. Previous attempts have been made to remove automatically the cuttings from coal cutting machines by mechanical devices, but complete commercial success has not been attained, either because of inefiectiveness or of excessive cest due to complicated structures.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cutting conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a conventional coal cutting machine, whereby the cuttings created by the cutter chain during the keri cutting operation are mechanically conveyed away from the path of the cutter chain, thereby eliminating to a substantial extent the laborious task of shoveling provide an improved cuttings conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a coal cutting machine whereby the cuttings are mechanically cleared away from the return run of the cutter chain and conveyed away from the machine to a convenient point of disposal. Still another object is to provide an improved cuttings conveying mechanism embodying conveying means arranged at the trailing side of the cutter bar and having its receiving portion underlying the return run of the cutter chain whereby the cuttings are effectually cleared away from the path of the cutter chain. A still further object is to provide an improved cuttings handling attachment for a conventional coal cutting machine whereby the cuttings created by the cutter chain during the kerf cutting operation are mechanically removed from adjacency'to the machine, thereby substantially eliminating the very arduous task, with its attendant dangers, of manually shoveling away the cuttings. A still further object is to provide an improved cuttings handling mechanism adapted for attachment to the rear end of a conventional lcngwall coal cutting machine, at the trailing side of the cutter bar, for removing the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain. Yet another object is to provide an improved cuttings handling mechanism adapted for attachment to a conventional coal cutting machine and driven through elements of the cutter chain driving means. A still further object is to provide an improved cuttings handling mechanism which is .compact in design and lsimple in structure, and

which may be readily attached to a conventional coal cutting machine. Other objects and advantages of the invention Will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the co-urse of the following description.

In the accompanying ldrawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms and modifications which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- Fig. l is a plan View of a coal cutting machine with which one illustrative form of the improved cuttings conveying mechanism is associated.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the coal cutting machine and the associated cuttings conveying mechanism shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken subaway the cuttings by hand. Afurther object is'to 55 stantially on line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig, 6 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 of Figs. 1 and 3.

Figs. 'l and 8 are views similar to Fig. 4, respectively showing modified forms of the construction.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View, on a somewhat reduced scale, illustrating still another modified forrn of construction.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are views similar to Figs. 4, 7 and 8, respectively showing further modified forms of construction, Fig. 12 being on a somewhat reduced scale.

This invention, in the several embodiments and modifications thereof, is shown associated with a coal cutting machine of the flexibly fed, longwall type having a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar disposable in a right angle position with respect to the machine frame during the kerf cutting operation, and in each embodiment of the invention the improved cuttings conveying mechanism is operative to remove the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain and convey the cuttings to a convenient point of disposal. While the invention is shown embodied in a longwall coal cutting machine, it will be evident that the same may be associated with the kerf cutting mechanism of coal cutting machines of various other types without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The coal mining machine disclosed herein is generally indicated at I and for illustrative purposes may be similar in character to that disclosed in a copending application of one Dwight R. Richards, Serial No. 172,994, filed November 5, 1937, and since issued as Patent No. 2,262,049, granted November 11, 1941 The lmining machine comprises a low compact machine frame 2, of generally rectangular shape, having a plane bottom surface 3 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor. The machine frame comprises a central motor frame section 4, a front feed frame section 5 and a rear cutter frame section 6, the frame sections being secured together to form a rigid unitary machine frame. Carried by the front feed frame section 5 is a horizontal feed drum 'I with which a feed cable B cooperates in the feeding of the machine. Pivotally mounted on the cutter frame section E at the rear end of the machine frame for horizontal swinging movement on a vertical axis, as at 9, is an elongated horizontal plane cutter bar I@ having guided for circulation about its margin an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain II. As fully described in the copending application above referred to, the feed cable is attachable to the cutter bar to eifect swinging of the cutter bar about its pivot. and the cutter bar may be locked in a right angle position at either side of the machine frame or in a position extending lengthwise of the machine frame by means of a conventional locking device. When the cutter bar is swung into a right angle position at the opposite side of the machine to that disclosed in Fig. 1, the motor is reversed, therebv reversing the direction of the cutter chain and the feed drum, and the cutter bits are necessarily reversed on the cutter chain and the feeding cable rewound on the feed drum, all in a well kn own manner. As shown in Fig. 3, secured to the rear end of the motor power shaft I2 is a bevel gear I3 meshing with a bevel. gear i4 in turn driving spur gear I5. The spur gear I5 meshes with a spur gear I6 connectible by a conventional sliding clutch I1 to a vertical shaft I8. Suitably secured to the lower end of the shaft I8 is a cutter chain drive sprocket I9 which engages and drives the endless cutter chain II. The cutter bar IG is mounted on a hanger frame 2D journaled in bearing sleeves supported by a cylindrical bearing support 2I formed on the cutter frame section 6, and the cutter bar lock is indicated at 22 and is engageable with suitable appropriately located locking recesses 23 formed in the hanger frame 2D. EX- tending transversely across the lower portion of the cutter frame section 6 is a cuttings-receiving chamber 24 within which the rearward portion of the cutter bar is arranged. The bottom of this chamber is closed by a bottom plate 25 providing the bottom surface of the cutter frame section E. From the foregoing, it is evident that when the sliding clutch Il is connected, the cutter chain may be rapidly circulated about the margin of the cutter bar through the bevel gearing i3. i4, spur gearing I5, I5 and the vertical shaft I3. As fully described in the copending application mentioned above, during the cutting operation the ,cutter bar may be swung by the feed cable 8 from a position extending longitudinally of the machine frame to the right angle position shown in Fig. 1 vand locked in such right angle position by the lock 22, it being understood that during the swinging movement of the cutter bar the cuttings conveying mechanism, generally designated is detached from the coal cutting machine- .When the swinging movement of the cutter bar is completed and the cutter bar is sumped beneath the coal in the manner well known to those skilled in the art, the feed cable may be detached from the cutter bar and extended, as indicated in full lines in Fig. l., in a direction longitudinally of the forward end of the machine frame and connected at its free end to an anchor jack located in adiaC-ency to the coal face in advance of the coal cutting machine. The cuttings conveying mechanism 26 is then attached to the rear end of the coal cutting machine at the trailing side of the cutter bar in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and as the feed cable is wound in by the feed drum the coal cutting machine is fed bodily in a forward direction along the coal face in parallelism with the latter to cut a horizontal lrerf in the coal, and during the kerf cutting operation the relatively ne cuttings created by the cutters of the cutter chain are removed by the cuttings conveying mechanism. from the path of the cutter chain and mechanically conveyed away from the machine to a convenient point of disposal, as will later be explained. As the mode of operation of the coal cutting machine disclosed herein has been fully described in the above mentioned copending application and is well known to those skilled in the art, further description thereof is herein unnecessary.

The improved cuttings conveying mechanism 26 herein comprises a casing 21 attachable. at the rear end of the coal cutting machine within the lateral limits of the machine frame, by releasible pins 28 to projecting lugs 29 integral with the rearward portion of the cutter frame section 6 of the machine frame, the casing having lugs 3! which cooperate with the lugs 29, and the cooperating lugs having alined openings within which the holding pins are insertible. It will be obvious that various forms of releasible attaching means may be provided whereby the cuttings-handling mechanism may be readily attached to and detached from the coal cutting machine, and in certain instances, the casing 21 may be pivotally mounted on the machine frame for swinging movement, thereby to facilitate changing of the cutter bits and to enable swinging of the cutter bar beneath the same. In the illustrative construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the casing 21 has its bottom surface 3| slightly upwardly inclined with respect to the machine frame bottom and has a horizontal chamber 32 communicating at its inner side directly with the rear side of the cuttings-receiving chamber 24 within the lower portion of the cutter frame section 6. Arranged in the casing chamber 32 at the trailing side of the cutter bar in horizontal planes with its bottom surface in running contact with the plane top surface of the bottom plate 25, is a rotary feeder, herein a flat circular impeller disc or feeding plate 33 (Figs. 3 and 4), and this impeller disc, near its periphery at its receiving side, underlies the return run of the cutter chain in the manner shown, The impeller disc has its hub keyed to a vertical shaft 34 suitably journaled within the casing 21, and formed on the upper surface of the disc near its periphery are radial slots or grooves 35 providing shoulders whereby movement of the cuttings with the disc from beneath the cutter chain is assured, and supplementing these grooves or slots are impeller varies or ribs 35 extending radially from the disc hub. If desired, the peripheral edges of the plate may be slotted or serrated, and instead of having the slots or grooves 35, the upper surface' of the disc may be otherwise roughened, as by serrations or by ribs, as may be most suitable. Formed in the casing 21, at the rearward side of the receiving chamber 32 and communicating with the latter, is a transverse chamber 31, and arranged in this chamber at the side thereof remote from the coal face is a conveyor 38 for receiving the cuttings brought back from the path of the cutter chain by the impeller disc and for conveying the cuttings in a lateral direction to a convenient point of disposal. This conveyor is herein preferably of the spiral vane type known commonly as a screw conveyor, since it has been found that a conveyor of this type creates little dust in the handling of the cuttings, a feature of importance underground in coal mines.

The impeller disc and conveyor are driven through elements of the cutter chain driving means, although if desired they may be driven by an independent source of power. In this instance, keyed to the upper end of the cutter sprocket drive shaft IS is a drive sprocket 39' (Fig. 3) connected by an endless drive chain 4G, overlying the top of the cutter frame section 5, to a chain sprocket 4| secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 42 herein arranged at the side of and parallel with the impeller disc drive shaft 34. The shaft 42 is in the form of a sleeve and isjournaled through a bearing sleeve on a vertical stub shaft 43 projecting upwardly from the top of the casing 21. Secured to and driven by the shaft 42 is a spur gear 44 meshing with a spur gear 45 keyed to the upper end of the impeller disc drive shaft 34 From the foregoing, it will be evident that the impeller disc 33 revolves at the same speed but in a direction opposite to that of the cutter chain, although, in certain instances, it may revolve in the same direction as the cutter chain, this, however, necessitating minor changes in the arrangement of the cooperating parts. Disc rotation in a direction opposite to the cutter chain is, however, herein considered most effective. Also, the disc may be driven either at a higher or a lower speed than the rate of rotation of the cutter drive sprocket. Also keyed tothe shaft 34 and driven by the gear is a chain sprocket 46 connected by an endless drive chain 41 to a chain sprocket 48 keyed to the upper end of a vertical drive shaft 49 (Figs. 3 and 5) suitably journaled in the casing 21. Keyed to the lower end of the shaft 49 is a bevel gear 50 meshing with a bevel gear 5| keyed to a horizontal shaft 52 to which the spiral conveyor 38 is secured. The chain and sprocket connections are suitably enclosed within detachable housing 53 secured to the tops of the cutter frame sections 6 and the casing 21, while the bevel gearing 50, 5| is enclosed within a dustproof housing 54. The front housing section for the drive chain 4I) and sprocket 3S may be readily detached from the cutter frame section so that the drive chain may be removed from engagement with the sprocket, thereby to enable dee tachment of the cuttings conveying mechanism from the coal cutting machine. The spiral conveyor 38 is herein arranged in a horizontal, transversely extending bore 55 formed in a cylindric casing 56 in turn received in a bore 51 in the casing 21, and the casing 56 has' flanges 58 secured, as by screws, to the casing 21, in the manner shown. A detachable end bracket 59 providesa bearing for the outer end of the conveyor drive shaft 52. The gear housing 54 is arranged in the casing 21 at the side of the conveyor chamber 31 opposite from that which receives the screw conveyor, and has anges 5i) secured, as by screws, to the inner side of the casing. The casing 21 has a vertical partition 6| supporting a bearing for the conveyor drive shaft 52. When the coal cutting machine is cutting in the opposite direction from that shown in Fig. 1, with the cutter bar disposed at the opposite side of the machine andthe cutter chain running in the reverse direction, the casing 56 and gear housing 54 may be detached and removedv from the conveyor chamber and the conveyor replaced by one having an opposite hand spiral, and the casing 56 and housing 54 respectively inserted in the opposite sides of the conveyor chamber so that the conveyor may receive the cuttings from the impeller disc as the latter rotates in an opposite direction, it being obvious that when the cutter chain is reversed, the direction of rotation of the impeller disc is concurrently reversed. By this reversed arrangement of parts, the cuttingsehandling mechanism may discharge the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain in an opposite direction from that shown, so that by a simple rearrangement of the parts the conveying mechanism may operate in either of opposite directions in accordance with the direction of operation of the coal cutting machine, Attached to the casing 21, within the disc chamber, as at 52, is a vertical baffle or deilector 63 (see Figs. 4 and 6) overlying the return side of the impeller disc so that as the cuttings are moved rearwardly by the impeller disc within the conveyor chamber, they are deflected by the deflector or baffle, thereby to prevent a substantial amount of the cuttings from being returned to the path of the cutter chain` Sen cured at 64 to the opposite side of the casing is a bafle 55 for directing the cuttings into the' casing chamber. These baffles 63, 55 may be transposed, simply by inverting the same, to the opposite sides of the casing chamber during operation of the cuttings-conveying`mechanism in the reverse direction, in an obvious manner. To direct the cuttings toward the disc chamber, the outer side of the chamber 24 of the cutter frame section 6, i. e., the side thereof remote from the coal face, is closed by a vertical cover plate 66 of sheet metal, and this plate is hinged at one end at 6l and has a releasible locking pin 68'at its other end whereby the cover plate may be swung laterally to obtain access to the rearward portion of the cutter chain, thereby to facilitate changing of the cutter bits. During cutting in the reverse direction the cover plate 66 is, of course, transposed to the opposite side of the cutter frame section 6.

As the cutter chain I l rapidly circulates about the margin of the cutter bar l during the kerl cutting operation, the relatively ne cuttings created by the cutter bits are brought back from the kerf by the cutter chain into the cuttingsreceiving chamber 24 and the cuttings move in the path of the arrows shown in Fig. 4. As the cuttings are moved through the chamber 24 by the cutter chain they are, to some extent, thrown by centrifugal action rearwardly into the chamber of the casing 32 of the cuttings-conveying mechanism, while the cuttings being conveyed by the return run of the cutter chain are rapidly whirled out of the path of the cutter chain by the revolving impeller disc 33 so that as the return run of the cutter chain leaves the chamber 24 the cuttings are, to a substantial extent, removed from its path. The cuttings moved into the chamber 32 by the impeller disc are conveyed rearwardly into the chamber 31 and are received by the spiral conveyor 38. The spiral conveyor continuously moves the cuttings laterally from the machine path.

If it is desired to convey the cuttings away from the coal cutting machine to a more distant point, an auxiliary spiral conveyor mechanism may be attached to the casing S, and, in certain instances, this supplemental spiral conveyor may be driven through a universal joint directly from the conveyor drive shaft 52, The auxiliary conveyor mechanism may be swivelly connected to the casing of the cuttings-conveying mechanism so that its discharge end may be elevated and swung laterally in a well known manner. By the provision of this auxiliary conveyor, the cuttings may be discharged laterally of the coal cutmachine out of the path of travel of the latter, past the line of the roof props at the side of the machine remote from the coal face, and may discharge on a face conveyor laid on the mine floor at the outer side of the roof props in the manner well known to those skilled in the art. The spiral conveyor 38 can discharge the cuttings onto a conventional belt conveyor, instead of a spiral conveyor, in the manner to be later explained.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, several modifications of the invention are disclosed. In Figs. 'l and 9, the impeller disc 33 and its drive are essentially the same as those above described, while in Fig. 8, whiie the disc and its drive are essentially the same as those above described, the axis 0f rotation of the impeller disc has been displaced laterally toward the face side of the coal cutting machine and the impeller disc is slightly smaller in diameter. In Fig. '7, the casing 'l0 of the cuttings-conveying mechanism is provided with a chamber 'li in the form of a longitudinal bore communicating with the chamber 32, and arranged in this chamber bore on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine frame' is a spiral conveyor 12. This spiral conveyor is driven by a horizontal, longitudinally extending drive shaft 13 arranged with its axis of rotation in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame, and keyed to the forward end of this shaft is a bevel gear 14 meshing with a bevel gear 'l5 keyed to and driven by the impeller disc drive shaft 34. If desired, the conveyor 12 may be arranged with its axis of rotation slightly upwardly inclined with respect to' the horizontal so that its discharge end is elevated above the mine floor, thereby to enable the conveyor to discharge the cuttings onto an auxiliary conveyor, the latter in turn conveying the cuttings laterally of the machine past the line of the roof props, in a manner similar to that above described. When the direction of cutting of the coal cutting machine is reversed, the spiral conveyor 'l2 may be replaced by a similar conveyor having an opposite hand spiral so that when the impeller disc 33 is rotated in an opposite direction the conveyor will act constantly to move the cuttings in a rearward direction to a point of discharge at the trailing side of the coal cutting machine in the path of the latter. In Fig. 9, the casing 'l1 of the cuttings-conveying mechanism has a transverse chamber 18 extending completely'thereacross at the rear side of the impeller disc 33 and coinmunicating with the chamber 32 through a major portion of the width of the latter so that the cuttings brought back by the disc are freely discharged into the chamber T8. Arranged on a horizontal axis in the chamber 18 is an elongated spiral conveyor I9 for conveying the cuttings laterally from the path of the coal cutting machine. This conveyor is connected through bevel gearing from the impeller disc drive shaft 34 to a transverse shaft in turn connected by a chain and sprocket connection 8l to a conveyor drive shaft 82 to which the conveyor 19 is secured. In Fig. 8, the structure is essentially the same as that shown in Fig. 4 with the main exception that, the axes of rotation of the impeller disc 83 and the spiral conveyor 84 are aranged in a common vertical plane extending transversely of the machine frame of the coal cutting machine so that extreme compactness is attained. The disc and conveyor are driven in the same manner as those shown in Fig. 4, from the cutter chain drive shaft I8. Another difference in this construction over that shown in Fig. 4 is that the disc chamber opens rearwardly at 85 within the conveyor chamber 86, so that considerable of the cuttings are received directly by the conveyor without passing over the impelled disc. Otherwise, the forms of the invention shown in Figs, 7, S and 9 are similar to those above described.

In Figs. i0, ll and 12 several more modifications of the invention are shown, and the cuttings-conveyor mechanisms of these forms of the invention have a mode of operation essentially the same as those above described in that they act to remove the cuttings from the path of the return run of the cutter chain and convey the cuttings laterally of the machine to a convenient point of disposal. However, in these forms of the invention the revolving impeller disc is omitted and in lieu thereof an endless conveyor chain is provided for removing the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain. In Fig. 10 the casing of the cuttings-conveying mechanism is indicated at 9G, and it is detachably secured by relcasible pins SI to the rear end of the machiner frame. The casing has a chamber 92 openingY horizontally at its inner side within the cuttingsreceiving chamber 24 of the coal cutting machine. Arranged in the chamber 92 is an endless conveyor chain 93 guided for circulation in an orbital path along the guideways of a horizontal guide 94 suitably secured to the bottom of the casing 90. Engaging the conveyor chain is a drive sprocket 95 keyed to and driven by a vertical shaft 9B suitably journaled within the casing 90. The opposite end of the conveyor chain engages and passes around a chain sprocket 91 keyed to a rearwardly located vertical shaft 98 likewise suitably journaled within the casing 90. The shaft 96 is driven from the cutter chain drive shaft I8 of the coal cutting machine in the same manner as the impeller disc drive shaft 34, so that as the cutter chain II is rapidly circulated about the margin of the cutter bar, the conveyor chain is concurrently rapidly circulated about its guideways on the guide 94 within the chamber 92. The conveyor chain has relatively thin flights 99 which pass beneath the return run of the cutter chain in the chamber 24, and these ights are so shaped as to move eifectually the cuttings out of the path of the cutter chain. The conveyor chain moves the cuttings through the chamber 92 and discharges the cuttings within a chamber |00, the latter being in the form of a transverse bore in which is mounted a spiral conveyor IGI. Driven by the shaft 98 is a bevel gear |02 which meshes with a bevel gear |03 secured to a horizontal, transversely extending shaft |04 suitably journaled within the casing 90 and to which the conveyor |I is secured. The conveyor IOI receives the cuttings discharged by the conveyor chain onto the conveyor IUI and constantly moves the cuttings in a lateral direction from the path of the coal cutting machine. As the cutter chain II carries the cuttings back from the kerf into the chamber 24. the cuttings are discharged, to some extent, by the cutter chain into the chamber 92 onto the conveyor while at the same time the flights of the conveyor move beneath the cutter chain to clear the remaining cuttings from the path of the return run 0f the chain, so that as the return run of the cutter chain moves from the chamber 24, the cuttings have, to a substantial extent, been removed therefrom. The portion of the casing 90 serves as a deector or bale for directing the cuttings into the conveyor chamber 92. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l1, the casing of the cuttings conveying mechanism is indicated at IIII and has a chamber III opening horizontally at its inner side into the chamber 24. Arranged in the casing chamber is an endless conveyor chain |I2 passing around sprockets IIS and IIII arranged with their' axes of rotation lying in the central longitudinal vertical plane of the machine frame. The sprocket I|3 is substantially larger than the sprocket I|4 and is keyed to a vertical shaft II5 driven from the cutter chain drive shaft I8 of the coal cutting machine in a manner similar to that shown in Figs. 3 and 6. As in the form of the invention shown in Fig. l0, the conveyor chain I I2 has relatively thin flights III which move beneath the return run of the cutter chain II to move the cuttings out of the path of the cutter chain. In this instance, however, the conveyor chain |I2 is of the universal hinge type having rectangularly related pivotal axes between the strap links and blocks thereof so that the chain may not only ex in horizontal planes as it passes around the sprockets. but may also flex in vertical planes sothat the rearward portion of the conveyor may be inclined upwardly, thereby to enable the discharge end II'I of the conveyor to be located in an elevated position above the mine oor. Arranged beneath the discharge end of the cuttings conveyor II2 is an auxiliary conveyor IIB of the endless belt type guided on a conveyor frame II9 in turn pivoted for horizontal swinging movement about an axis coincident with the axis of rotation or' the chain sprocket IIII. The frame ||9 may at its bottom directly on the mine floor or may be supported entirely by the overhanging rear end of the casing I I0. The belt conveyor I I8 is driven by a bevel gear |20 keyed to a vertical shaft I2I to which the sprocket I III is keyed. The bevel gear |20 meshes with a bevel gear |22 keyed to a drive shaft |23 suitably journaled within upstanding sides of the conveyor frame I|9 and operatively connected to the conveyor belt. The conveyor ||2 moves the cuttings out of the path of the cutter chain through the chamber I| I and discharges the cuttings in a rearward direction at the trailing side of the machine onto the belt conveyor I I8, the latter in turn conveying the cuttings in a lateral direction out of the path of the coal mining machine. The conveyor IIB preferably discharges the cuttings at the side of the prop line remote from the coal'face. In the modification shown in Fig. 12, the cuttings conveyor and the auxiliary conveyor are essentially the same as those disclosed in Fig. 11. In this construction, however, the pivotal axis of the cutter bar I 0 lies within the orbit of the conveyor chain and the latter passes rearwardly from beneath the cutter chain between the latter and the bottom plate 25. Arranged beneath the cutter chain drive sprocket I9 yand driven by the latter is a chain sprocket |25 which in turn drives an endless conveyor chain |26, the latter having relatively thin flights |21 similar to the flights of the conveyors above described. In this instance, the conveyor chain |26 is similar in construction to that shown in Fig. 11, thereby to enable flexing of the chain in both horizontal and vertical directions. The conveyor chain |26 moves in a circular path corresponding to that of the cutter chain, beneath the latter, so that the cuttings are moved without abrupt change in direction out of the path of the return run of the cutter chain in a lateral direction through the chamber of the casing and discharged at |28 onto the auxiliary conveyor, and the return run of the conveyor chain passes from the sprocket I I9 beneath the return run of the cutter chain back to the drive sprocket |25. A suitable guard plate may be interposed between the bottom cutters of the cutter chain and the conveyor chain so that interference between the relatively moving chains would be prohibited. In this instance, secured to the top of the sprocket |25 directly beneath the cutter chain drive sprocket I9 is a at circular guard plate |29 which radially overlies the conveyor chain |26 as it passes beneath the cutter chain sprocket to prevent the conveyor flights from tilting upwardly in a vertical direction into contact with the cutters of the conveyor chain, this circular guard plate being arranged coaxially with the drive shaft I8 and preferably rotating with the sprocket |25. As in the forms of the invention above described, the endless conveyor chains of the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 10, 11 and l2 all act to move the cuttings out of the path of the return run of the cutter chain and move the cuttings away from the coal cutting machine to a convenient point of disposal, preferably in a lateral direction to the side of the prop line remote from the coal face. It will be evident that instead of the pivoted block type of conveyor chain shown in Figs. 10, 11 and l2, a conveyor chain of the fabricated V belt type may be employed, and instead of chain sprockets, grooved pulleys may be used, thereby to provide a conveyor which is not only extremely flexible but which is also relatively narrow, well adapted to pass through the narrow space between the bottom plate 25 and the lower cutters of the cutter chain.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved cuttings conveying mechanism is provided adapted for attachment to a conventional coal cutting machine for effectually clearing away the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain. It will further be evident that by removing the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain, free cutting without constant churning of the cuttings is attained, thereby appreciably increasing cutter bit life and decreasing the wear and tear on all the parts which compose the cutter chain and cutter bar, resulting in the reduction of maintenance cost of the various cutting members and lessening the time occupied in the changing of the cutter bits, and reducing the cost of sharpening of the bits and bit replacement. It will further be evident that by the provision of the cuttings conveying mechanism whereby the cuttings created by the cutter chain during the cutting operation are mechanically conveyed away from the path of the cutter chain, the laborious task, with its attendant dangers, of shoveling away the cuttings by hand is to a substantial extent eliminated. It will also be noted that by the provision of the conveying means arranged at the trailing side of the cutter bar and having its receiving portion underlying the return run of the cutter chain, the cuttings are effectually removed from the path of the cutter chain. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described several forms and modifications which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms and modiiications are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modiiied and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, a flat rotary impeller disc adapted to remove the cuttings from the path of the return run of the cutter chain and disposed on a substantially upright axis adapted to be located at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside of the orbit of the cutter chain, said impeller disc having the cuttings-receiving portion thereof near its periphery so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain.

2. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, comprising, in combination, a flat rotary impeller disc adapted to remove the cuttings from the path of the return run of the cutter chain and disposed on a substantially upright axis adapted to be located at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside of the orbit of the cutter chain, said impeller disc having the cuttings-receiving portion thereof near its periphery so constructed yand arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain, and conveying means associated with said impeller disc and disposed alcovev the latter for receiving the cuttings from said disc and for discharging the cuttings in a lateral direction to dispose the cuttings remote from the cutter chain.

3. In a cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, a iiat rotary impeller adapted to re move the cuttings from the path of the return runV of the cutter chain and arranged to revolve on a substantially upright axis adapted to be located at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside of the orbit of the cutter chain. said rotary impeller having the cuttings-receiving portion thereof near its periphery so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain.

4. In a cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, a cuttings-conveying device adapted to be arranged at the rear end of the coal cutting machine at the trailing side of the cutter bar for removing the cuttings from the path oi the return run of the cutter chain, said convey ing device including a rotary impeller disposed on a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside the orbit of the cutter chain, said rotary impeller having a cuttings-receiving portion near its periphery so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain.

5. A lcuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, comprising, in combination, a at horizontal impeller disc adapted to remove the cuttings from the return run of the cutter chain and rotatable about a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside of the orbit of the cutter chain, said impeller disc having the cuttings-receiving portion thereof near its periphery so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain, and a spiral conveyor rotatable about a horizontal axis for removing the cuttings from said disc.

6. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless Cutter chain, comprising, in combination, a flat horizontal impeller disc adapted to remove the cuttings from the return run of the cutter chain and rotatable about a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside of the orbit of the cutter chain, said impeller disc having the cuttings-receiving portion thereof near its periphery so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain, and a spiral conveyor rotatable about a horizontal axis adapted to extend transversely of the coal cutting machine for removing the cuttings from, said disc and for conveying the cuttings laterally from the machine.

7. In a cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, a revolving cuttings-conveying disc adapted to be disposed on a substantially upright axis at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside the orbit of the cutter chain and having its cuttings-receiving portion moving in substantially horizontal planes near the level of the mine floor, said cuttings-receiving portion so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain for moving the cuttings out of the path of the cutter chain.

8. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, comprising, in combination, a revolving cuttings-conveying disc adapted to be disposed on a substantially upright axis at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside of the orbit of the cutter chain and having its cuttings-receiving portion moving in substantially horizontal planes near the level of the mine floor, said cuttings-receivingr portion so constructed and arranged as t be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain for moving the cuttings out of the path of the cutter chain, and cooperating conveying means disposed above said revolving disc for removing the cuttings from said disc and adapted to discharge the cuttings into the machine path at the trailing end of the machine.

9. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a coal cutting machine of the kind movable over a mine floor in the space between the coal face and the roof prop and having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain4 adapted to out a horizontal plane kerf in a coal seam near the floor level, comprising, in combination, a conveyor adapted to be disposed at the trailing side of the cutter bar and having its cuttings-receiving portion moving in substantially horizontal planes near the oor level and so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the vcutter chain, and an associated conveyor for receiving the cuttings from said rst mentioned conveyor and adapted to convey the cuttings in a lateral direction to discharge at a vpoint near the prop side of the coal cutting machine remote from the coal face.

10. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for attachment to a coal cutting machine of the kind movable over a mine oor in the space between the coal face and the roof prop and having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain adapted to cut a horizontal plane kerf in a coal seam near the oor level, comprising, in combination, a at rotary disc disposed on a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside the orbit of the cutter chain said disc having its cuttings-receiving portion moving in substantially horizontal planes near the floor level and so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain, and an associated conveyor for receiving the cuttings from said disc and adapted to convey the cuttings in a lateral direction to discharge at a point near the prop side of the coal cutting machine remote from the coal face.

11. In acuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless circulating cutter chain, a conveyor member having a conveying portion so c-onstructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain and which is movable in a substantially horizontal plane to remove the cuttings from the path of the cutter chain, said conveying portion being movable about a substantially upright axis adapted to be located at the trailing side of the cutter bar outside of the orbit of the cutter chain, said conveying portion adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain being a peripheral portion of said conveyor member.

12. In a cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association' with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, a rotary conveyor member adapted to remove the cuttings from the return run of the cutter chain and having its cuttingsreceiving portion disposed in substantially horizontal planes near the level of the mine floor and `rotatable about a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside the orbit of the cutter chain, said cuttings-receiving portion of said conveyor member being so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain at the trailing side of the cutter bar.

13. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal cutting machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, comprising, in combination, a rotary conveyor member adapted to remove the cuttings from the return run of the cutter chain and having its cuttings-receiving portion disposed in substantially horizontal planes near the level of the mine floor and rotatable about a substantially upright axis adapted to be located outside the orbit of the cutter chain, said cuttings-receivinL-gT portion of said conveyor member being so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to project beneath the return run of the cutter chain at the trailing side of the cutter bar, and a cooperating conveyor element movable relative to said conveyor member for removing the cuttings from the cuttings-receiving portion thereof and adapted to dischargev the cuttings so removed in a rearward direction remote from the cutter chain.

14. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having a cutter bar carrying an endless cutter chain, comprising, in combination, conveying means adapted to remove the cuttings from the return run of the cutter chain and to convey the cuttings to a point of discharge remote from the cutter chain, said conveying means having a cuttings-receiving portion so constructed and arranged as to move in horizontal planes near the level of the mine iloor and to underlie the cutter chain, said cuttings-receiving portion being a peripheral portion and arranged to move about a substantially upright axis, and said conveying means including a conveyor portion adapted to move away from the cutter chain for conveying the cuttings received by said cuttingsreceiving portion in a generally horizontal direction and adapted to discharge the cuttings at a point remote from the mining machine.

`l5. A cuttings-conveying mechanism adapted for association with a coal mining machine of the kind having a projecting cutter bar carrying an endless circulating cutter chain, comprising a conveyor member having a peripheral conveying portion so constructed and arranged as to be adapted to underlie the return run of the cutter chain and which is m-ovable in a substantially horizontal plane to move the cuttings away from the path of the cutter chain, said conveying portion being adapted to move, in a direction opposite from the direction of movement of the cutter chain, about a substantially upright axis located outside the orbit of the cutter chain at the trailing side of the cutter bar.

" `CHARLES F, IOSGOOD, 

